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Hunter’s mutt then attacked the labrador’s owner, biting her on the body causing her a number of injuries. Sentence was previously deferred for a veterinary report on the dog’s behaviour.

Defending, Mr Cunnigham told the court how the author of the veterinary report pointed out that the difficulty might not lie with the dog, rather its owner.

Mr Cunnigham read direct quotes from the report which stated that Hunter – who has an analagous conviction involving a Japanese Akita – is “not a responsible dog owner” and that the dog is regarded as a “level four biter.”

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane said: “My options are quite limited and right now, they are quite clear.”

Prosecuting, Mr McMillan told the court how Hunter’s victim was taking her three-year-old son to nursery along with the family’s six-months-old dog, which was on a lead.

At this time, Hunter was in her garden with her dog, which was not on a lead – seeing the other dog owner, 57-year-old Hunter shouted, “don’t worry, she’s friendly.”

However, at that point the bull mastiff ran across the road and started to attack the puppy, biting it repeatedly.

In a bid to stop the incident, the owner lifted up her dog but was herself then attacked, with Hunter’s dog biting her left hip breaking the screen protector on a phone in her pocket.